Is it a good idea to wash your eggs before storing them? This hygiene expert answers

In our never-ending quest for a clean, hygienic kitchen, it’s not uncommon to have questions about the best way to handle our food. Among these dilemmas, washing eggs before storing them often comes up. In fact, it is not uncommon to find dirt or even feathers stuck to the shell. But is it really necessary? Virologist Océane Sorel, known on social networks under the pseudonym The French Virologist, shared her expertise on this subject in a video published on Instagram.

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A publication shared by Océane Sorel DVM, PhD. (@thefrenchvirologist)

According to Océane Sorel, washing eggs before storing them can actually be counterproductive. “The eggshell is a porous structure made waterproof by the presence of a cuticle which ‘blocks’ the pores and prevents bacteria from entering inside the egg, but washing the eggs removes this cuticle”she explains on Instagram. Eggs naturally have an outer shell that acts as an effective barrier against bacteria and other external contaminants. By washing them, you remove this protective layer, exposing the pores of the shell to potential contamination.

Rather than washing the eggs, The National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) recommends a few simple actions to ensure safe and hygienic handling. First of all, it is crucial to store eggs in their original packaging, which is specially designed to protect them from damage and contamination. If eggs are stored at room temperature in the store, they do not require refrigeration. If you choose to store your eggs in the refrigerator, it is essential to consume them quickly after taking them out. Additionally, when handling eggs, it is imperative to wash your hands thoroughly before and after to avoid any transfer of contaminants.